Government has extended an invitation to Madam Janice M. Pereira to visit the Territory in her official capacity as Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court so that Virgin Islanders can get the opportunity to share in the historic occasion of her appointment. Chief Justice Madam Pereira will be in the Territory from Sunday, November 18 to Wednesday, November 21. She is a Virgin Islander who hails from Virgin Gorda and is the first woman to serve in this post since its establishment in 1967. Photo: GIS

Premier Smith said Government extended an invitation to Madam Pereira to visit the Territory, in her official capacity, so that Virgin Islanders can get the opportunity to share in the historic occasion of her appointment.  

Chief Justice Madam Pereira will be in the Territory from Sunday, November 18 to Wednesday, November 21.  She is a Virgin Islander who hails from Virgin Gorda and is the first woman to serve in this post since its establishment in 1967.

Premier Smith said, “I was there to witness Her Ladyship take the Oath of Allegiance and Oath for Due Execution of Office in St. Lucia and it was indeed a gratifying moment to do so. In fact, this historic achievement brings pride to the British Virgin Islands and the rest of the Caribbean.”

In reiterating the pride he feels, Premier Smith said, “Her Ladyship has been recognised by Caribbean leaders and in turn Her Majesty the Queen for her extraordinary qualities as a lawyer. [She]…is a shining example of how commitment and dedication to service could result in great accomplishments. She is indeed an inspiration to us all.”

On Monday, November 19, she will meet with the principal and students of the Robinson O’Neal Primary School at 10:00 a.m. and the Bregado Flax Educational Centre at 11:30 a.m. for an inspirational talk and autograph session. There will be a thanksgiving service in Her Ladyship’s honour at the North South Methodist Church at 3:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, November 20, Madam Chief Justice Pereira will make courtesy calls on Premier Smith at 9:00 a.m., His Excellency the Governor Mr. Boyd McCleary at 10:00 a.m. and Deputy Governor Mrs. Inez V. Archibald at 11:00 a.m.

On Wednesday, November 21, she will meet with students at the Elmore Stoutt High School for an inspirational talk and autograph session. She will also make a courtesy call on Chairman of the Bar Association Ms. Keisha Durham.

During the swearing-in ceremony in St. Lucia, Honourable Pereira said she feels a great sense of pride to be a daughter of the Virgin Islands and that her accomplishment signals a great achievement for the Territory. “I feel truly honoured and special that a delegation from the BVI is here to share in this occasion; a moment I will never forget.”

In the Virgin Islands, she has served as acting Registrar General, acting Registrar of the Supreme Court and Registrar of Companies, and acted and served as Magistrate. She was an Associate Attorney at Law with J.S. Archibald and Co.; Associate Attorney with Harney Westwood & Riegels; Attorney at Law with McW Todman & Co, and a law partner in Farara George-Creque & Kerrins. Regionally, she served as a High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court from 2003 to 2008 and Court of Appeal from 2009 to 2012.